I've been wondering about ginghams, been inclined to a navy one in a lighter silk for spring and there are some Calabreses, perhaps gone, at NMWA in wool (though gingham+wool seems slightly odd to me, summer plus winter).

Anyone here have a view on these (and pics)? I suspect not the first choice for a business outfit, but in general?

Still a bit pricey and too narrow for me (are all the Calabreses gone?). I'm not sure about ginghams, but especially wool ones given the slight seasonal discord.

On pattern: I'd be inclined to go for a smaller pattern than the one you have for a more conservative environment. It's bold and, perhaps, more casual given the pattern (I would think). But then, I also think smaller checks on a gingham shirt are to be preferred (lest one look like a picnic table).

Still, this one does speak to me for spring/summer with a nice linen jacket, say one in a lighter shade of blue or in tan:

Dood, not at all thank you for your honest and open minded approach to all this. This has helped fuel further contributions and debate, more power to you. It's an excellent threak to learn, discuss and subsequently approach differently how we wear what we wear with a different eye!

I agree. I'm kinda lurking in the background but getting some great tips and insight from you veterans.

im not what i was thinking, its not a light ground really, but its a gray that i think will not optimally contrast with your navy suits, but i could be wrong. either way, ime gray ties are hard. they tend to visually take on the same shade as what you are wearing with it unless its a very light or very dark gray and can clearly stand out from the jacket.

i only have a few gray ties and they get minimal wear. they usually end up being reserved for when i am in a monochrome mood and i wear them with a gray suit.

im not what i was thinking, its not a light ground really, but its a gray that i think will not optimally contrast with your navy suits, but i could be wrong. either way, ime gray ties are hard. they tend to visually take on the same shade as what you are wearing with it unless its a very light or very dark gray and can clearly stand out from the jacket.

i only have a few gray ties and they get minimal wear. they usually end up being reserved for when i am in a monochrome mood and i wear them with a gray suit.

That tie seems pretty close to brown...closer to brown than gray. However, it may be a bit rough to really to go with a white shirt, which is what you'd need for a gray or gray brown tie to work with a navy suit.

To be clear, I'm talking about the tie Stitchy's was talking about. The brown neat you got today is greatEdited by Claghorn - 1/13/14 at 8:31am